Harrogate's Mama Doreen's put Greatest Hits Radio to the test in cake decorating class

They've given us hints and tips ahead of the new series of Great British Bake Off starting tonight

Author: Natalie HigginsPublished 21st Sep 2021

Ahead of the launch of this year's Great British Bake Off, Mama Doreen's Emporium in Harrogate have given us an exclusive cake decorating lesson to see if we have what it takes to nail a 'Show Stopper Challenge'.

The Great British Bake Off has been a staple in British culture since it first hit our TV screens in 2010, and despite a channel and presenter switch in 2017, the popular culinary show is still going strong, with fans across the country are building up excitement to see those soggy bottoms and Hollywood handshakes

But does our very own Natalie Higgins have what it takes to earn Star Baker? We'll let you be the judge of that...

Reporter Natalie Higgins with co-owners of Mama Doreen's, Justine and Jess

This year's show features its very own all-vegan baker, taking on each challenge using vegan-friendly ingredients.

19-year-old psychology student Freya from North Yorkshire will be battling it out to see if she has what it takes to be crowned Bake Off winner, and said she feels 'blessed to share her passion for vegan baking'

Meet all the bakers in this year's Bake Off

Jess Wyatt, owner at Mama Doreen's Emporium, said she has "a challenge ahead".

She said: "It's a science. It's taken us a few years to master the art of vegan cakes and with the ingredients she'll have access to it will be a challenge but if she can nail it she'll go far.

"It is difficult and it has taken years of practice for us. We've been doing this for 13 years and we're always looking for new trends and styles and I think Bake Off really shows those new ideas well."

Meet this year's Great British Bake Off Contestants

Giuseppe - WINNER

Age: 45
Occupation: Engineer
From: Italy, but now lives in Bristol

Crystelle - FINALIST

Age: 26
Occupation: Client Relationship Manager
From: London

Chigs - FINALIST

Age: 50
Occupation: Sales Manager
From: Leicestershire

JĂĽrgen - ELIMINATED

Age: 56
Occupation: Trombonist
From: Germany, now lives in Sussex

Lizzie - ELIMINATED

Age: 28
Occupation: Car Production Operative
From: Liverpool

Amanda - ELIMINATED

Age: 56
Occupation: Met Police Detective
From: Raised in London with Greek-Cypriot heritage

George - ELIMINATED

Age: 34
Occupation: Shared Lives Co-Ordinator
From: London

Freya - ELIMINATED

Age: 18
Occupation: Psychology Student
From: North Yorkshire

Maggie - ELIMINATED

Age: 70
Occupation: Retired Nurse and Midwife
From: Dorset

Rochica - ELIMINATED

Age: 27
Occupation: HR Business Partner
From: Birmingham

Jairzeno- ELIMINATED

Age: 51
Occupation: Head of Finance
From: Born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to London 15 years ago

Tom - ELIMINATED

Age: 28
Occupation: Software Developer
From: Kent

Read everything you need to know about this year's Great British Bake Off.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.